The macula is a small tissue in the center of the retina which is responsible for our central vision. Macular Degeneration is a painless degenerative disorder usually associated with the aging process and makes tasks such as reading, threading a needle, driving and watching TV more difficult. In severe cases patients are unable to recognize friend's and family's faces.
The condition occurs in two forms – wet and dry. The dry form can be slowly progressive, but it is less likely to lead to severe visual loss. The wet form is when the macula starts to bleed or leak fluid generally causing minor to significant wavy/crooked lines, floaters, or decreased vision (blurry, clouds, haze, spider webs, missing area of vision, etc.) and if it goes untreated it can lead to severe permanent visual loss.
Unfortunately, Macular Degeneration could be cause by age or can be hereditary. And because one eye will naturally compensate for the loss of detail in the other eye, macula degeneration can go unnoticed until it starts to affect both eyes. Luckily, there are methods to monitor your vision at home. There is the amsler grid - click here for more information - or the Foresee at Home, an electronical device used to detect vision loss or damage. Speak with your doctor to see if the Foresee at Home is right for you.
Our Retina Specialists are on the forefront of the study of macular degeneration and offers the latest, most advanced treatment available for this disease. Although there is no proven medical therapy for dry macular degeneration, different therapies are available and may be used to treat the wet form of macular degeneration in some individuals.
"One of the most frequently debated issues in eye care in recent years has been over three similar treatments for wet age related macular degeneration (AMD), the most severe form of a disease that is the leading cause of blindness among older Americans. Here ophthalmologists provide background into why there is so much buzz about the three drugs and what the public should know about their similarities and differences...."
To read the full article written by Reena Muklamal and published by GetEyeSmart.org, Eye health information from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, please Click Here.
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